Good evening all, new guy here, names John and I'm 18. Looking to get my first street bike this summer, and have been eyeing a 250r since they came out in '08. I was planning to get a 300 SE, but decided against it as I would likely finance the bike, and as I already have a truck payment I want to avoid that. I've decided that since a Ninja 250r can be aquired around here for under $2500, I will just save the cash before buying. A buddy of mine, who is also 18 and is also planning on a bike this summer (although the dumb*** is saving for an R6) has tried to advise me against it, saying that I will quickly get tired of it, and it is a small, boring outdated bike with the arrival of the 300. I disagree, but I wanted opinions of owners. Thanks all!

Is it outdated? Sure. Most bikes are withing two or three years of release. Dumb, boring, or any other negative remarks. No. Not even close. I have ridden some very outdated bikes that were great rides. Trying to stay with the latest and greatest all the time is a fools errand.

:whathesaid:
It's not at all, I own a 300 and have ridden a well set up 250r. They're super fun bikes, the main difference is FI and midrange. Carbs aren't the end of the world at all and the midrange difference isn't too big as the 250r will still get up and go, though not like a 600+, at the top end.

I say go for the 250r you can afford rather than the 300 you can't

If you try to keep up with everyone else in the world you'll always be behind. Get what you want/can afford and go ride and have fun. :thumbup:

Dude my third bike was already 10 years old and I also started with a 250. There's no reason to judge a bike by it's year, but only with the connecting you will have with it. It's what you want to get out of riding...

I got a 250 to learn the fundamentals of riding, save gas and commute. When my skills and distance that I could ride got bigger I changed my thoughts on what I needed. Hell my little 250 would stun and awe as many or more people than my Triumph. Although it's not all show and tell, you make a bike a reflection of your character...simply put.

Take a look at the 300 if you'd like, maybe a 650 v-twin...it's what you are comfortable with. It'll come with time that you'll get a bigger bike, so don't rush it. My best motorbike choice was starting on that burbling little 250, and I had the time of my life on it. Who cares if that guy on the R6 thinks you are too slow, he won't be saying that when you hit the twisties...trust me, that ninjette rocks in the turns!

My '08 250 is the most recent bike I've purchased. It's just a bit over 25% of the size of the bike I started on! I like it!

It's a great little bike. For many reasons. Being outdated is irrelevant.

If you don't like it, you can sell it for what you paid and get something else.


But you will like it. :)

Welcome!

It's funny... after about 2 months of riding the ninja 250 you start to get bored of it... However, if you begin to unlock the potential of the 250 it becomes revitalized. First off, riding the bike and keeping it close to it's max power around that 11k rpm range and you'll have a blast! Also take it down some twisties! It's very fun! On the twisties you cannot go very fast or you'll die lol so the need of a bigger bike goes away.

If you only commute on long highway and straights, etc. Then yes... you will get bored... I will admit that to me personally going from ninja 250's for 5 months to a ninja 300 the extra power will be noticeable and the ninja 300 actually pulls you a little bit which is awesome....


Regardless, I think you are in the right mind set, get the cheap bike you can AFFORD. Once you learn to ride and have fun, then sell it for what you paid for it and get the bike you want.

Good luck :)

I would like to point out that I have never been bored while riding a ninja 250

I've owned my 250 since 2011 and I'm not bored of it. I've owned fast cars to recently include a full bolt on Boss 302 and the Ninja still excites me every time I ride it. Plenty of aftermarket to improve and make the bike your own.

I got bored of my ninja 250 for a while but that was because I would shift it at like 6-8k rpms and hardly ever got it to 10k. I finally grew some courage and started beating the bike and it changed everything... God, I love these small bikes. :)

I would like to point out that I have never been bored while riding a ninja 250

Good call, same here!

I got bored of my ninja 250 for a while but that was because I would shift it at like 6-8k rpms and hardly ever got it to 10k. I finally grew some courage and started beating the bike and it changed everything... God, I love these small bikes. :)

^^^^ real sh*t right there. When you feel you have reached the end, it's not even close. :P

Welcome John!

Hi all. Been a long time.

I thought I would chime in. Now that I've had a chance to fart around on a 300 for a bit. I must say. It would be worth it to you to get any one of the fuel injected small displacement bikes.

I put 20k hard miles on an 09 250. And really just be patient and get a 300. It's really a better bike in every way. **** the thing has a clock. Like that's literally my favorite part.

The 250 doesn't have a clock because time flies too fast to track when you're having that much fun.

Welcome John :thumbup:
Nowadays it's a pity that everyone is looking to everything only from the point of big and bigger...
The main view in case of motorcycles instead should be about the freedom of riding and that's what the people always forget.

Thank you to all, love the quick replies! I think ill stick to my plan and get a cheap 250, after seeing how much people around here love them im convinced that I can have some fun on one. Plus, no financing is appealing. Plus I need a good practice bike for my first bike, and the 250r is one hell of a good looking bike to start on!

**** the thing has a clock. Like that's literally my favorite part.

My old ninja 250 had a clock.

http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/ae188/herodanny/10477559_664265503644429_5286586621576601979_o_zps8860c49e.jpg (http://s970.photobucket.com/user/herodanny/media/10477559_664265503644429_5286586621576601979_o_zps8860c49e.jpg.html)

Choosing to start off on a 250r and sticking with the 250r for almost 2 years was the smartest and most fun decision i have ever made. Insurance is super cheap, bike is super fun to ride, ergo (Riding position) was extremely city friendly and comfy, gas was amazing as well as mpg. I would highly get a 250r in your case since you cant afford the 300. Best choice youll make plus youll be learning a lot about riding. You have the rest of your life to get a big boy bike so dont ever rush it.

Knowing you own the title to the bike feels pretty good.

...no. fun's never outdated homiee. That's just my .02 though and we're on a ninja forum, so yea no yea.

Even I want a 250 most days... No I won't trade you my 300 for yours:bounce:
:welcome:

If you're getting bored on a first bike ninja 250 after two months, you're totally doing it wrong. The 0-60 is still better than most cars and even if it wasn't, if you actually wring it out and push the bike to its limits, you can still do downright reckless things with it(not advocating, just saying it's possible). The type of adrenaline that wears off after two months is the rider moving past the "oh ****, i don't feel like i'm about to die by user-error on the way to the grocery store" phase. From there you'll find a new form of excitement in actually learning how to manipulate and control the bike beyond just basic functions.
That's were the ninja 250 really excels. Keeping you safe those first two months is one thing, but being that perfect learning platform for that following year is its forte.

I have been riding since September of last year. It's hard to get bored of something tht you don't get to do as often as ypu would like to and when you finally get to ride, it's a great feeling. Save up money to get quality protective gear and take the MSF course. I have met a surprising amount of people who have wrecked a 250 within two months. I love the 250. It really grows on you.

These guys have it right. I asked the same question a year and a half ago. I ended up getting an '08 250 and I still love it. As my first bike, it's taught me a ton about riding. Because it's not a super sport, I've been able to learn a lot about the bike's limits but more importantly my own limits as a rider. When I do eventually get another bike, the Ninjette is getting tracked!

Its a schizophrenic little beast below 7-8K it is a burbly little commuter and 8-14 it is a very sporty ride, almost like having two bikes, you can choose your 'mode'.
It needs to be used very regularly or the carbs will gunk up over a few weeks standing (there's your excuse to ride :) )
Being so light it handles well and with new rubber is very good.
It is also very comfortable, something people don't give it enough credit for, good ergonomics.
You can get a low budget handling improvement by fitting the old ex500 rear shock which stops two up handling from getting wallowy (is that a word ?)

I would like to point out that I have never been bored while riding a ninja 250

I have! Interstate cross-country commuting... Then again I've been bored with a cruiser, with a super sport bike at the speed limit, with a dirt bike on the high way.... ;) You can be bored on any bike at any time. Picking the right bike for the right job should be an important consideration. Why do I love my 250 so much, because it best fits my riding style!

Thank you to all, love the quick replies! I think ill stick to my plan and get a cheap 250, after seeing how much people around here love them im convinced that I can have some fun on one. Plus, no financing is appealing. Plus I need a good practice bike for my first bike, and the 250r is one hell of a good looking bike to start on!

Great reasons! Realistically, the only reason to get a 300 over the 250 is if you have a lot of elevation changes in your state. Carbs are really rather infuriating when you ride from 5,000ft to 10,000ft...

However, to answer your question.... YES, YES, YES. The 250 is absolutely outdated and underpowered. Even the "new-gen" 08-12. 20+ year old tech all around. That means it's:
1.) Easy to work on.
2.) Easy to ride.
3.) Hella fun
4.) Cheap

I don't know Iowa though... Maybe it's all straight lines there... In which case a cruiser might be an even better choice.

Regardless, somebody else said this too... Pick the bike YOU want to ride. If you decide you don't want to ride it anymore, get a different one! It's not like you're getting married... :dancecool:

Who cares what the latest style is! The 250 is an awesome, nimble bike. You'll have much better times on a bike you can afford than one you have to make payments on, in my opinion.

Ok. Now that I am out of work and have some spare time, I can type a better reply. I have only been riding for about 5 months and I am not too far ahead of you. I recommend that you start off with the MSF course if you can. It taught me basics that I overlooked when I "taught" myself to ride. I am glad that I started on a 250. During my learning, I made many mistakes that could have gotten me seriously injured or killed on a 600+ bike. I also recommend you get your self a New and Unused helmet, and all your safety riding gear.

As far as getting bored, not at all. I enjoy riding and I strive to learn every skill on the 250. I have heard the phrase "It is better to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow." I am not saying that it is slow because the 250 will pick up very fast but it's not a super sports bike. Yes there are days when I wish I had a newer bike or that it went faster but then days pass by when I don't get to ride it, and when I FINALLY get on it again and open the throttle all the way, I get a big smile on my face all over again.

I have been riding for about 5 months and I have not gotten anywhere near the full capacity of my bike. It handles very easily and the MPG is a plus as well. I do in the future plan to get a 600+ bike but I will also keep my 250. It all depends on your goals with your bike, some people just want to ride very fast in a straight line, others want to ride long distances, others want to learn it, race it, modify it, etc. Whatever your goal is go for it.

In my short experience, I do not regret starting on and getting a 250. :dancecool:

I learned on a Honda CB350. It was 10 years old when I got it. Much larger than the Ninja and 375lbs wet with 36 hp. Great bike to learn on. Easy to work on. Easy to ride. I miss bikes being big enough to be comfortable all day in stock form.

The 250 is probably the best bike around these days for learning and then still having something that is rideable and very enjoyable after then initial scared to death learning stage. It will keep you occupied, as has been said, for quite a while learning to really ride it instead of just going down the road.

I've been riding for longer than I care to remember. Funny how time just gets away from you. I've ridden everything from the little honda 50 and 50cc mopeds to liter bikes. I just bought an 05 Ninja 250 last year. I'm having a blast on it. You can do things on it that you will never do on bigger bikes. Twisties are wonderful on small bikes. :) Small bikes will do almost anything you demand of them. They will ride thousands of miles non stop except for gas. They will run a mile to the store. They are easy to work on. Parts aren't too bad in price or ability to find them. They hold their value really well.

If or when you decide to get something bigger, you can sell for near what you have in it. In some cases, more. There's always a demand for learning size bikes.

The FI would be nice. No irritations with big temp swings or altitude changes like with carbs. But, you have much more electronics to fail and they are quite expensive if you have to replace them.

The 250 is rock solid. You will enjoy it. Have fun. Learn. When you think you've learned all you can...then you can really start learning.

A buddy of mine, who is also 18 and is also planning on a bike this summer (although the dumb*** is saving for an R6) has tried to advise me against it, saying that I will quickly get tired of it, and it is a small, boring outdated bike with the arrival of the 300. I disagree, but I wanted opinions of owners. Thanks all!


I got my 250 in 2013, people told me don't finance it buy used because you will get bored and sell it quick.

Will be entering my 3rd season this March/April and I have no desire to trade her in at the moment, on the contrary every year I've been adding one or three things that make her more and more decidedly mine.

Hoping this year or the next I can give her a new coat of paint since my only gripe is I don't really like red or green.

Was thinking Midnight Blue or Egyptian Blue

I'd also like to put a nice design on her but seeing as I've no artistic talent the ideas floating in my brain are probably garish and would make her look horrible.

there are many questions to ask yourself when purchasing a new vehicle.

but there only two that matter; "Will it do a wheelie?" and "Will it do a burnout?"

If you answered yes to these questions, you're on the right track.

there are many questions to ask yourself when purchasing a new vehicle.

but there only two that matter; "Will it do a wheelie?" and "Will it do a burnout?"

If you answered yes to these questions, you're on the right track.

I did a wheelie on my 5th day of riding the 250, unfortunately I was not planning on doing a wheelie I was actually planning on doing a left turn at a major intersection and thus was caught by surprise, especially since many people told me that doesn't generally happen on a 250.

Now my girl has some battle scars and so does my knee. :drivingcrash:

Of course it's outdated. Everything except R1 is suddenly outdated. Are you getting R1? No? Then don't worry about it.

And if you still do, just imagine how horribly outdated will R1 be in a few months when competitors come up with something new.

Starting on a 250 is a good idea. Have a friend who wants to start on a 600, so i let her ride my 250, and she dropped the bike after opening the throttle too much and decided maybe shed get a 125.

Good evening all, new guy here, names John and I'm 18. Looking to get my first street bike this summer..........

Nothing to add to the above posts but a warm welcome to the world of street motorcycling. :grouphug:

For a first 250 cc bike to be paid in cash, I would recommend a pre-gen (pre-2008).

While making mistakes and dropping the bike, work on the rider for a while, then buy a pretty ride.

The 250 will improve your p'up driving skills.

Good evening all, new guy here, names John and I'm 18. Looking to get my first street bike this summer, and have been eyeing a 250r since they came out in '08. I was planning to get a 300 SE, but decided against it as I would likely finance the bike, and as I already have a truck payment I want to avoid that. I've decided that since a Ninja 250r can be aquired around here for under $2500, I will just save the cash before buying. A buddy of mine, who is also 18 and is also planning on a bike this summer (although the dumb*** is saving for an R6) has tried to advise me against it, saying that I will quickly get tired of it, and it is a small, boring outdated bike with the arrival of the 300. I disagree, but I wanted opinions of owners. Thanks all!

Let me put it this way too you, I own a HP4 Competition, which is an absolutely top of the line, all the bells and whistles bike, a Ninja 300 Track bike and my Ninja 250.

I prefer to ride my Ninja 250r to work each day cause it's more comfortable, not only to work, I will take it on twisty rides with my mates also, the only time I take my Hp4 out is when I'm going with other s1000rr's and Hp4's occasionally I'll take it out for a fang, but I can get in enough trouble here on the Ninja 250r.

I also vary between the ninja 300 track bike and the hp4 for the track, depends on which track, tight technical tracks ninja 300 everyday, more fun, long GP length tracks are the hp4.

The ninja 250r is far from outdated, it may not have all the electronics or the biggest engine but I can promise fun times, great memories and even alot of learning, I often tell my mates(quite a few still can't ride big bikes due to licence restrictions 650cc is max) that they should consider learning to ride the 250/300 to its limit before they consider looking for an upgrade!

Welcome John.

I have been riding my 2005 250 for going on 9 years. Still haven't found its limits (or mine).

Jeff

Get the 250. Laugh as you effortlessly zoom past the yardsaled remains of your friend's R6 on the first moderately tight curve. Someone with his opinions has no business buying a twitchy 95bhp bike for a first.

Get the 250. Laugh as you effortlessly zoom past the yardsaled remains of your friend's R6 on the first moderately tight curve. Someone with his opinions has no business buying a twitchy 95bhp bike for a first.

Haha, yep! You'll love your 250 in the corners! Any asshole can be fast in a straight line. On Monday, a guy saw me in my gear (that says Kawasaki on it) and asked me what I rode. After my response, he told me to get a Gixxer! I was polite, I wanted to tell him to bugger off.

Haha, yep! You'll love your 250 in the corners! Any asshole can be fast in a straight line. On Monday, a guy saw me in my gear (that says Kawasaki on it) and asked me what I rode. After my response, he told me to get a Gixxer! I was polite, I wanted to tell him to bugger off.

Owning both a 250 and a gixxer, there is no way I could reasonably ride any 600cc+ supersport on public roads and not end up arrested or worse. No way in the slightest. That said they're both damn fun at the track

Welcome John.

I have been riding my 2005 250 for going on 9 years. Still haven't found its limits (or mine).

Jeff

I found the limit on my 2012 250 to be 149km/h on the Toronto <-> Montreal Highway :rotflmao:

I've been riding 6 years, mostly on 250s and 300s. I've owned a 600-GSXR and a 650 Ninja and ridden several other big bikes a time or two, but I've "upgraded" to only 300s realizing that the nimbleness and maneuverability (and cost and weight) of a little bike is more up my alley. I appreciate forgiveness. Usually our little bikes are damn forgiving...and fun to throw down into a corner (just not all the way). :lol:

Hi all. Been a long time.

I thought I would chime in. Now that I've had a chance to fart around on a 300 for a bit. I must say. It would be worth it to you to get any one of the fuel injected small displacement bikes.

I put 20k hard miles on an 09 250. And really just be patient and get a 300. It's really a better bike in every way. **** the thing has a clock. Like that's literally my favorite part.

250 with a clock

I typically have no desire to know the time when I'm on my bike. :p

I started on an 09' 250r in late 2012 after they had already announced the upcoming Ninja 300 for 2013. I almost wanted to wait for the 300, but boy am I glad I didn't.

Top Reasons to start on a (slightly) outdated 250r.
1. It's cheap! Plus you can resell for minimal (if any) loss. The market is huge for these bikes so resale should be easy.

2. It's cheap! Minimum insurance coverage for me at 20 years old when I bought mine was $88 bucks a year. Just under $200/year for a 100/300k policy underinsured/uninsured.
(Read Jiggles post here on insurance: https://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=111326&highlight=INsurance)

3. It's cheap! Maintenance is easy for a new rider to do himself and tires (being small) are much cheaper than larger bikes (650 Standards, 600 SS etc...)

4. First you will have a blast, then you MIGHT get bored when all you do is try and straight line throttle it. Then you'll have a blast again when you actually try to become a good rider and learn to corner. Once you are proficient with cornering and actually handling the 250 in all riding conditions consider moving to a larger bike if so inclined.

5. If you drop it (or crash!) it won't cost you very much. Personally I didn't have collision insurance simply because the bike was so cheap to begin with; I paid $2400.

6. You can find plenty with small scratches/cracks to get it for even cheaper. You won't be so angry when your boot slips and you drop it on an uneven gravel parking lot the first week (not that I ever did that...). On a brand new 300 you'd be furious with yourself.

7. You'll know you love motorcycles for RIDING them. Not for looking cool, not for doing 150 mph on a public road in a straight line, and not for what your friends think of you.



Now, while you won't be doing triple digits down the freeway on your 250 without a tailwind and a slight downhill grade you can still hurt yourself! Falling off any motorcycle onto asphalt at 50mph will hurt regardless of displacement. You can seriously injure yourself so be sure to take a riders safety course, or at least self educate on proper riding technique. Buy decent riding gear (from head to toes!). There are plenty of resources right on these forums.

Welcome to the club :)

*Also, my pet peeve, but at 18 you shouldn't ever be financing what is ultimately a toy since you have a truck already. I'm only 22 and have watched several of my friends/acquaintances finance toys the past 4 years. More than a couple have had issues or regretted taking on unnecessary debt so quick. Whether you're a future Walmart employee or CEO of a fortune 500 company don't spend money you don't have.

You should save up enough to pay for the bike, insurance and all your gear before pulling the trigger. In fact, I recommend you force yourself to buy gear before allowing yourself to buy a bike.

There is a fun factor you cannot put a price on and these machines deliver it.
You cannot flog a SS bike like you can with these little machines.
The best times of your life are when your having fun, and the smaller machines allow that because you don't have to think about the machine doing something unexpected.

Pretty much my fav quote ever: "It's far more fun to ride a slow bike fast, than it is to ride a fast bike slow".

Whether you're a future Walmart employee or CEO of a fortune 500 company don't spend money you don't have.

You should save up enough to pay for the bike, insurance and all your gear before pulling the trigger. In fact, I recommend you force yourself to buy gear before allowing yourself to buy a bike.

Everything Nick says in his post is spot-on!

The 250 is a great first bike! (Or second or third bike...). They are just plain fun!

Oh yeah, almost forgot...


Welcome, John!

I know a guy who started on a 250 dirt bike, later bought a 1000 cc sports bike, got scared, and sold it a few weeks later.

of course it's outdated! The bike designed for sale starting in '88 is nearly identical to the bike designed for sale in '08. The 300, starting in '13 isn't really that much different, besides the fuel injection.

But it's still worth buying one to flog.

The Ninja 250 stayed nearly exactly the same for 20 years and got a revamp.

You ever hear "don't fix what ain't broke?"
Something timeless can't be outdated. They are fabulous starter bikes. Some people "grow out of" them quickly and upgrade but then you have enthusiasts on forums like these who can eat supersports and liter bikes alive on twisty roads.
Are they big, flashy, loud and fast? No, not particularly. But if you're buying a motorcycle because it's those things, it's all the more reason to start on a smaller bike with a slice of humble pie.

If you don't buy new they have great resale value so upgrading isn't a chore. In the meantime you save on money, gas, insurance and ego. And that extra money can go toward the msf course if you haven't taken it and better gear, which with any luck you will have longer than the bike.

I've had my ninja almost 3 years now. I want to get a bigger bike but 65 mpg don't lie. No one wants to steal it, it's easy to work on and cheap.

Also, you're young and stupid(Sorry) and the smartest thing you can do is realize that about yourself. I hit the top speed of my 250 within three days of owning it. Besides the msf course I'd literally never ridden a motorcycle before. That's ****ing dumb, and I am dumb. But I at least had that tiny ounce of foresight to not get a supersport. I know me and I knew that I would have tried to find and push the limits, where ever they are, as soon as possible.
So if that sounds even a little bit like you just save yourself the agony and temptation.

And financing a first motorcycle is just asking for trouble. Before you make any decisions at least test ride a few 250's. I can pretty much guarantee that whether you get a 10 year old pregen on a brand new 300, you will love the **** out if it because it's your first bike.

Another thing that I did BEFORE I bought my motorcycle was that I watched videos of accidents both living and fatal accidents, I looked at pictures of road rash, I read about riders in a coma for days, weeks, and months. I did this so I that I can be aware and informed about the risks of riding. I did this so that I can know and accept the "terms", risks, and possible outcomes of riding. Once aware, I learned how important it is to have all the gear, skills, information, and minimizing risk anyway possible to increase the chances of continuing to live. You can read through these forums of people who have had accidents and you can also read about accidents with not so happy endings. I myself have had close calls and with "just a 250". Be safe. Post up pics when you get your first motorcycle.

Another thing that I did BEFORE I bought my motorcycle was that I watched videos of accidents both living and fatal accidents, I looked at pictures of road rash, I read about riders in a coma for days, weeks, and months. I did this so I that I can be aware and informed about the risks of riding. I did this so that I can know and accept the "terms", risks, and possible outcomes of riding. Once aware, I learned how important it is to have all the gear, skills, information, and minimizing risk anyway possible to increase the chances of continuing to live. You can read through these forums of people who have had accidents and you can also read about accidents with not so happy endings. I myself have had close calls and with "just a 250". Be safe. Post up pics when you get your first motorcycle.

After that I'm surprised you didn't go for:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/50/Hummer_H2_front_20070928.jpg
:)

After that I'm surprised you didn't go for:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5c/1952_Buick_Special_DeLuxe_Series_40D.jpg
:)

I don't get the joke, I'm not that old...

Okay, updated for the younger generation.:)

I've been riding 6 years, mostly on 250s and 300s. I've owned a 600-GSXR and a 650 Ninja and ridden several other big bikes a time or two, but I've "upgraded" to only 300s realizing that the nimbleness and maneuverability (and cost and weight) of a little bike is more up my alley. I appreciate forgiveness. Usually our little bikes are damn forgiving...and fun to throw down into a corner (just not all the way). :lol:

Well said. :thumbup:


I have had a ton of bikes, tourers, super/hypers (zx14) and all in between and I'm now down to 3 bikes each with a different duty... I have been riding 25 years on the street and out of my 3 bikes I put more miles on my 300 last year than the other 2, it's just so fun.

Be honest with yourself, what you want out of a bike and your personality when you buy, it can save you from taking a costly step in the wrong direction. I have seen many friends "upgrade" only to find the fun factor changed... different tools for different jobs, fun but different bikes are different kinds of fun. I like to think of my 300 as the Miata of sportbikes... small, light, cheap, handles well (for my street use at least) and is a ton of fun.

As the saying goes, it's more fun to ride a slower bike fast than a fast bike slow. Being able to use more of the bike is nice to me but I also have friends who ride 500, 600 and 1000 that prefer to ride the bike easier/softer and never break 6k-9k on the tach at the same pace I'm pushing my 300 a bit more and using more of the rev range.

Last note, I have also had 2, 250's. Sold the used one for what I paid for it and the other that I bought new was close excluding tax/tags. Can't go wrong with a 250 or 300 in my book. :dancecool: